In an oddball display of camaraderie, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were seen laughing and driving each other around in a Russian-built limousine during Putin’s first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years.
Footage released by North Korean state media agency KCNA on Thursday shows the two leaders enjoying each other's company as they take turns driving an Aurus luxury car.
The carefully-choreographed moment captures Putin first in the driver's seat with Kim as his passenger, before they switch roles. CNN noted that the pictures and footage are "designed to highlight the close bond between the leaders, who say they have ramped up ties to a 'new level' during the Russian president’s rare visit to the reclusive state this week."
You can see the video below.
During this visit, North Korea and Russia signed a new defense pact, committing to provide immediate military assistance to each other if either nation is attacked.
This agreement, which comes amid Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine, is the most significant between Russia and North Korea in decades, reminiscent of their 1961 Cold War-era mutual defense pledge. It also solidifies North Korea's strategic relationship with a major world power that has veto power on the UN Security Council.
As part of their diplomatic exchange, Putin presented Kim with an Aurus car, marking the second time he has gifted this model to the North Korean leader.
According to Russian state media, Putin also gave Kim a tea set. In return, Kim gifted Putin a pair of native Pungsan hunting dogs, the same breed he gave to former South Korean President Moon Jae-in in 2018 during a historic thaw in relations between the two Koreas.
So the two men are besties at the moment—and people were definitely weirded out by the bonkers video.
Putin’s visit has been a clear demonstration of the strengthening relations between Russia and North Korea, united by their shared antagonism toward the West. Multiple nations have expressed concerns about the two countries' military cooperation.
Ahead of their talks, Kim expressed “full support and solidarity with the struggles of the Russian government, military, and the people,” specifically referring to Moscow’s efforts in Ukraine to “protect its own sovereignty, safety, and territorial stability.” Putin, in turn, praised the countries' ties as being based on "equality and mutual respect."
NBC News reporters Stella Kim and Mithil Aggarwal observed that the alliance between Putin and Kim "could scramble the balance of power in East Asia and make it even more difficult to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions."
U.S. officials said that Russia may offer North Korea technology to bypass missile defenses or launch a nuclear missile from a submarine in return for military aid in Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council said the meeting between the two autocrats "should concern any country that cares about maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, abiding by U.N. Security Council resolutions, and supporting the people of Ukraine."
